The Ayrshire Hospice has officially launched its Light up a Life appeal.
Light up a Life is an annual appeal to the Ayrshire and Arran community to remember their loved ones at what can be a very emotional time of year.
Every year, Light up a Life shares the story of a patient and their family’s experience of Ayrshire Hospice care.
This year’s campaign tells the story of Elisabeth McLaughlin and her daughter, Karen, both from Ayr.
Karen sadly died at the hospice in October 2019 after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Mum Elisabeth said: “The hospice made a big difference to Karen’s care. As soon as she arrived, it was like a new world for her. I could see her body, face and mannerisms completely change.
“When she first went in, the doctor knelt down beside her, held her hand and said ‘You’re not here to die, Karen, you’re here to live.’ That in itself calmed her.
“The Ayrshire Hospice has got to continue to care for patients. It’s one of these places that I never ever thought much about other than it was a kind, caring place. But to have experienced it, I can only say that we were lucky to get Karen into the hospice.
“If everyone’s relative is given the same care as Karen, they will have reached the end of their life in peace and comfort.
“We’ll never be able to repay the hospice and that’s why we’re supporting the Light up a Life appeal and hope you’ll join us to help this wonderful, vital local charity.”
For many families, it will be their last Christmas together but with your help, it can be a Christmas to remember.
The Ayrshire Hospice is innovating, growing and continuing to reach more patients and families and the Hospice team will be working hard to make every patient experience as homely and festive as possible.
Laura Somerville, Lead Practitioner of the Patient and Family Care team at Ayrshire Hospice, explained that Christmas in the hospice is a special day for patients and their families.
She said “Since opening in 1989, Ayrshire Hospice has supported thousands of people at the end of their lives, as well as countless family members and friends through their bereavement.
“At Christmas we provide small gifts to patients’ children and grandchildren who visit their loved ones in the In-Patient Unit on Christmas Day.
“We would welcome any donations for this, and for the ongoing care that we provide throughout the year both in the hospice ward and in patients’ homes across Ayrshire.”
To donate to Ayrshire Hospice’s Light up a Life appeal and help more patients like Karen, visit www.ayrshirehospice.org, call the fundraising team on 01292 288 488, or send a cheque payable to ‘Ayrshire Hospice’ to Ayrshire Hospice Fundraising, 29 Miller Road, Ayr KA7 2AX.
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